Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants

• Faculty and staff, with approval of direct supervisor
• Student leaders on behalf of recognized student organizations, with approval of faculty/staff advisor

Proposals should request funding in the range of the grant awards ($500 to $5,000) for new or expanded programs, initiatives, and projects. Impact Grants are not intended to fund the regular operating budget of an organization or unit.

Proposals are evaluated by a committee of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, including two members of the Young Alumni Council. Top-scoring proposals will be selected as finalists, and these applicants will be asked to present to the Alumni Association Board of Directors and Young Alumni Council at their spring meeting, where Board and Council members will vote to select recipients. Funds will then be awarded to recipients by the Office of Advancement & Alumni Engagement.

The proposals will be evaluated at each phase based on the criteria below:

• Alignment with one or more of themes of the Fund for Mary Washington: student support, professional/academic growth, program advancement, and/or UMW’s ASPIRE values
• Demonstration of need for funding
• Attainable and measurable goals/outcomes
• Clear sustainability plan for how the project will continue if there are changes in circumstances or staffing
• Clearly defined target audience of impact aligning with applicant’s purpose
• Detailed budget, appropriately aligned with proposal, with additional funding sources clearly defined, if needed

A scoring rubric is available below for more details on these criteria.

• Short online application form
• Pitch video (1-3 minutes), passionately making the case for funding the initiative and explaining its impact in more detail; the video should be simple—no need for high production value or heavy editing
• Slide deck (3 slides) in PDF format:
  • Slide 1 (Introduction): Who you are and a summary of the project, emphasizing need and impact
  • Slide 2 (Objectives/Outcomes): SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) goals for the project
  • Slide 3 (Budget): Outlining how the grant money will be used

• Alignment of Goals with the Fund for Mary Washington (Student Support, Professional/Academic Growth, Program Advancement, and/or ASPIRE values): The application excels in aligning project goals with the themes of the Fund for Mary Washington. The proposed project is exceptionally well-integrated with the fund’s themes, reflecting a high level of commitment to UMW values.
• Demonstration of Need: Description is very clear, concise, and easy to understand. Information and data provided support a big-picture explanation of need.
• Intended Goals and Outcomes: The goals of the project are clearly stated. Significant outcomes are clearly outlined and detailed. Outcomes are measurable, attainable, and specific.
• Target Audience: The application precisely defines the target audience. The proposed project is tailored to meet the unique needs of the target audience, showcasing a deep understanding of their requirements.
• Budget: The budget is appropriately detailed and thoroughly justified. The allocation of funds is strategically aligned with the proposed project, inspiring confidence in the financial management of the initiative. If applicable, the application provides a thorough and well-defined list of additional funding sources.
• Succession Planning: The application includes a clear succession plan, outlining strategies for how the work or initiative will continue in the face of staffing or leadership changes.

Who can submit a proposal? Faculty, staff, and student leaders applying on behalf of University-recognized organizations.

What are the grant amounts? $500 – $5,000. Each applicant will request a specific amount and include a budget.

What are some examples of projects/initiatives that could be included in a proposal? A new or expanded program on campus, service project, research project, equipment, professional development opportunity, or educational travel opportunity.

What should NOT be included in a proposal? Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants will not fund capital projects (building projects/renovations) or general operating costs.

What happens if my project requires more than $5,000? If the amount you are requesting in your proposal covers only a portion of your project, you must provide a clear plan for how you will secure the remaining funds.

May I submit more than one proposal on behalf of a single individual or organization? Yes, but no more than one proposal will be funded for each applicant.

Who will be reviewing my proposal? An ad hoc committee made up of members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Young Alumni Council will select finalists. The Alumni Board and Young Alumni Council will vote on recipients.

When/how will I find out if my proposal is a finalist/recipient? For the 2026 application cycle, finalists will be notified by email in March 2026. Grant recipients will be notified following their presentations in late April 2026.

How long does my organization/unit have to spend the grant money? One year (for the 2026 application cycle, this will be May 2026-May 2027).

If selected, how can my organization/unit access the grant funds? The funds will be deposited in a special UMW Foundation account, and you will work with Beth Hunsinger ‘01, Assistant Vice President for Development and Campaign Operations, to access funds for your project.

What happens if my organization dissolves before we have an opportunity to implement our grant-funded project? The University reserves the right to transfer the funds to another campus unit.

If I am not awarded a grant this year, can I reapply next year if the program continues? Yes!

If I am awarded a grant this year, when can I apply again? Grant recipients must wait three years before reapplying.

If I am awarded a grant this year, will guidance be provided in completing the required narrative and budget report? Yes. The Office of Advancement & Alumni Engagement will hold a reporting workshop for grant recipients each fall.

If my organization is not awarded a grant, what are some other options for fundraising? The Office of Annual Giving can help you with more fundraising options. Contact Shelby Orlando ’14 or Cadi Treviño Pinto ’22.